Package holder and cutter



I June 1941- E. c. WHITING PACKAGE HOLDER AND CUTTER Filed May 23, 1939 Eu geize (7. W2 6073:

ATTORNEYS Patented June 17, 1941 '10 Nl TED STAT ES PATENT ore-I PACKAGE HOLDER AND CUTTER Eugene C. Whiting, Watsonville, Calif.

Application May 23, 1939, Serial No. 275,300

1 Claim.

My invention relates to a package holder and cutter and is particularly adapted to receive a paper package, for instance a pack of cigarettes or the like and has as one of the principal objects thereof the provision of such a package holder equipped with means for opening or cutting the package received therein.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the above described character which is simple in construction, durable in use, efficient in operation and economical in manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, appended claim and annexed drawing.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the invent-ion.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the cutter.

In practicing my invention, as illustrated in the drawing, I provide a metal container 6 of suitable size to receive a package of cigarettes I. The container 6 is provided with a cover 8 connected at one end to the upper edge of one of the end walls of the container by means of a hinge 9. Mounted centrally and longitudinally of the container cover 8 is a housing for a flat slide member ll forming part of a cutting device I2. The housing i0 is provided, adjacent the end of the container opposite the hinge 9-, with a downwardly projecting pin or lug l3, the lower end of which is received in a central longitudinally extending slot l4 formed in the slide member, the latter comprising a flat strip of metal having a hand grip or handle l hinged at its outer end. The slide member H is fashioned, adjacent the handle l5, with a subjacently extending section I6, the lower end of which is fixed to the heel end of a relatively wide cutting blade H. The cutting edge of said blade is of a triangular cuneiform configuration. The cutting blade extends in parallelism with the slide member II and is spaced from the latter a sufficient distance to eifect penetration of the pack of cigarettes between the top covering of the latter and the tops of the cigarettes l8 contained therein as clearly illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing.

The container, interiorly thereof, has riveted to the side walls thereof a pair of spring catches comprising leaf springs l9 having upper ends provided with latch members 20 extending through openings in the side walls of the container adjacent the top of the latter and engaging in recesses 2| formed in the inner faces of the depending side flanges of the cover and which embrace the side walls of said container as clearly illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawing. Between the ends thereof, the leaf springs are provided with pins 22 extending through openings formed in the side walls of the container and projecting a sufiicient distance beyond the outer faces of said side walls whereby the latch members may be disengaged from the recesses 2| upon inward movement of the pins 22, it being understood that the tension of the springs I9 is suflicient to maintain the latch members in normal latched condition within the recesses 2i when the cover is in closed condition with respect to the container. Adjacent the handle l5, the upper end wall of the container is spaced a sufficient distance from the cover 8 to permit the blade to be operated from an ext-ended position as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 2 to a closed position as indicated in full lines in said Figure 2.

In use, the cover 8 is actuated to an open position upon release of the latch members 20 and while in said open position the handle I5 is grasped and the slide memer moved to an extended position without the housing I0, thereby disposing the blade in extended position. When the parts are thus positioned, an unopened package of cigarettes is placed within the container and the cover operated to closed position. Whereupon the slide member II is actuated to closed position within the housing It), thereby effecting penetration of the package of cigarettes by the blade I1, the latter being disposed when in penetrated position between the upper ends of the cigarettes and under face of the covering of the package as heretofore set forth. When the parts are thus arranged, the cover is again opened, causing the blade I! to tear oif or sever the top from the package and exposing the cigarettes contained therein for use.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided a simple and efiicient cigarette package container and cutter and which serves to protect the package of cigarettes as well as to eifect an opening of the package.

It is obvious that the invention is not confined to the herein described use therefor as it may be utilized for any purpose to which it is adaptable.

Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific construction as illustrated and described, as the same is only i1- lustrative of the principles of operation, which are capable of extended application in advance forms, and that the invention comprehends all construction within the scope of the appended claim.

What I claim is:

A device of the character described, comprising a container adapted to receive a package and provided with a hinged cover to close the same, a housing carried by the upper end of the cover outer end of the slide, whereby the blade will sever the upper end of the package inthe container when the slide is moved inwardly.

EUGENE C. WHI'I'ING. 

